Gwynedd ranks 249th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 962, placing it 38 points below the UK benchmark. Its ESG score is a notable exception, ranking 17th nationally and sitting 133 points above the UK benchmark. Investment is the area of greatest drag, ranking 349th of 360 authorities.
Gwynedd's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than totalled, the index compares authorities of very different sizes on equal terms.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Gwynedd's composite score of 962 places it below that national reference point. The likely range of 945 to 979 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Wales
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Gwynedd's composite score of 962 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
957
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−43 points against the UK · Likely range 931–983 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Gwynedd's Innovation score of 957 sits 43 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 230th of 361 authorities, meaning it outperforms 36.3% of all authorities on this pillar.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
973
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−27 points against the UK · Likely range 938–1,008 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth, and accelerator attendance. Gwynedd's Scaling score of 973 is 27 points below the UK benchmark, and at 283rd of 360 authorities it outperforms just over a fifth of all authorities on this dimension.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
900
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−100 points against the UK · Likely range 870–930 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers over the last five years. At 900, Gwynedd's Investment score is 100 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 349th of 360 authorities, indicating that equity activity among its companies is considerably lower than the national picture.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,133
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+133 points against the UK · Likely range 1,101–1,165 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Gwynedd's ESG score of 1,133 is 133 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 17th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 5% nationally on this pillar.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Wales
The chart below shows how Gwynedd's composite score of 962 compares with its neighbours across Wales, where the regional score stands at 996.
Gwynedd has a composite score of 962, which is 38 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 249th of 361 UK local authorities.
How does Gwynedd compare to other Welsh authorities?
Gwynedd ranks 19th of 22 authorities in Wales and sits 34 points below the Wales regional score of 996. Cardiff is the top-ranked authority in Wales with a score of 1,047.
Where does Gwynedd perform strongest in the index?
ESG is Gwynedd's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,133, placing it 17th of 361 authorities and 133 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 95.3% of all UK local authorities on this pillar.
Where does Gwynedd perform weakest in the index?
Investment is Gwynedd's weakest pillar, scoring 900, which is 100 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 349th of 360 authorities on this measure, outperforming just 3.1% of authorities.
How many active companies are counted in Gwynedd's score?
The index counts 4,560 active companies in Gwynedd, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Gwynedd's score?
The likely range of 945 to 979 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Gwynedd's range is narrow enough for the score to be published and relied upon.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
